Question 1

What does it mean that the priests offered "polluted bread" on God's altar?

Accepted Answer

"Polluted bread" means the priests were bringing offerings that did not match what God had asked for. Instead of healthy, proper animals and gifts, they accepted what was blind, lame, or sick. By doing this, they treated God's altar like it did not matter if the sacrifice was good or bad. In their hearts they were saying that the table of the Lord was not special. So the problem was not only the animals, but the attitude behind them, which showed disrespect toward God.

Question 2

Why is God so offended by blind, lame, and sick sacrifices in this passage?

Accepted Answer

God had clearly said that offerings should be without blemish, because sacrifices were meant to show His holiness and worth. When the priests brought blind, lame, and sick animals, they were giving God what they would never dare give a human ruler. God even says to test this by offering such a gift to their governor. Their cheap sacrifices showed that they did not really fear or honor God as Father and Master, and that they were keeping the best for themselves instead of giving Him their best.

Question 3

What does it mean when God asks, "If I be a father, where is mine honour?"

Accepted Answer

Here God uses everyday relationships to make His point. A son is expected to honor his father, and a servant is expected to respect his master. If people understand that, then it makes no sense that they would treat God with less respect than a human parent or boss. By asking this question, God shows that their worship and sacrifices reveal a lack of basic honor and holy fear. They claimed to serve Him, but their actions said He was not worth their best.

Question 4

What is the meaning of "my name shall be great among the Gentiles" in this passage?

Accepted Answer

God is saying that His honor will not be limited to Israel. Even if the priests and people in this passage treat His worship lightly, His name will still be honored around the world. From the rising to the setting of the sun, people among the nations will offer pure worship to Him. This shows that God is not dependent on one group's obedience. His greatness will be known, and people in many places will come to fear and respect His name.

Question 5

Why does God say He has no pleasure in the priests and will not accept their offerings?

Accepted Answer

God refuses their offerings because they come from careless hearts and disobedient hands. The priests were going through the motions for their own gain, not out of love or reverence. They would not even shut the doors or kindle the fire without some personal benefit. Since they knowingly allowed corrupt sacrifices and treated their service as a burden, God says He has no pleasure in them and will not accept what they bring. He cares more about obedience and honor than about mere rituals.

Question 6

What does the passage mean by people saying, "Behold, what a weariness is it" about God's worship?

Accepted Answer

That line shows how tired and bored the priests and people had become with serving God. Instead of seeing sacrifice and service as a privilege, they sighed and complained that it was a burden. They even “snuffed at it,” acting like it was beneath them. This heart attitude led them to bring torn, lame, and sick animals. When worship feels like a chore, people start giving God whatever costs them least, which again shows they do not truly honor Him.

Question 7

Who is the "deceiver" with a male in his flock who sacrifices a corrupt thing?

Accepted Answer

The deceiver is someone who has a proper male animal in his flock and even makes a vow to give it to God, but then brings a damaged or inferior animal instead. Outwardly he looks devoted, but inwardly he is keeping the best for himself. God pronounces a curse on this kind of person because it is deliberate hypocrisy. It is not a matter of poverty, but of a willing choice to cheat God, even while pretending to honor Him in worship.

Question 8

How does this passage about corrupt sacrifices apply to believers today?

Accepted Answer

While we no longer bring animal sacrifices, the heart issue is the same. God still sees whether our worship, service, and gifts come from respect and love, or from habit and self-interest. Giving God only what costs us little, offering half-hearted prayers, or serving only when it suits us is like bringing lame and sick animals. This passage calls believers to examine whether they are honoring God as Father and Master with their best, or treating His service as a weariness.

Question 9

What does this passage teach about God's character and kingship?

Accepted Answer

God describes Himself as Father, Master, and great King. He expects honor and holy fear that at least matches what people give to human rulers. He will not accept fake or cheap worship, because His name is great and even those outside Israel will fear it. This shows God's holiness, His right to be obeyed, and His concern that His name not be despised. At the same time, it shows that He notices how people worship, and He cares about their hearts as well as their actions.

Malachi 1:6

¶ A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

The Polluted Offerings

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Malachi 1:6

¶ A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

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The Polluted Offerings

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